The Nigerian film actor, director, and producer Akin Lewis was born on April 7, 1957.
Lewis is best known for his role in the 1980 sitcom Why Worry, Madam Dearest, and Nollywood movies, such as King of Boys. He has been in the industry for over 40 years.
He is also a film educator, who serves as the rector of Graig-Phillips College of Technology, a film school in Lagos.
Profile
- Full Name: Akintola Akin Lewis
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: April 7, 1957
- Age: 67 years old
- Nationality: Nigerian
- State of Origin: Oyo State
- Place of birth: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Religion: Christianity
- Profession: Actor, director, and producer
- Marital Status: Married
- Height: 1.86 m
- Net Worth: $1.5 million
Early Life & Education
Akin Lewis, now 67, was born on April 7, 1957, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Nigeria.
He grew up in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he attended St. Paul’s Primary School and Demonstration Secondary School.
He later enrolled at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he studied Dramatic Arts.
He graduated in 1979 and completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Lagos.
Not much is known about his mother, but the actor describes her as a typical Nigerian housewife. His father was an engineer who worked with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where he rose to the level of senior civil servant.
Personal Life
Akin Lewis has been married three times but has had two failed marriages.
He tends not to reveal details about his first two wives, but he has shared in interviews that the first two wives left because they were greedy and selfish and didn’t understand their roles as wives.
He has also yet to reveal details about his third and current marriage. He is blessed with beautiful children, but their names have not been revealed.
He is a devoted Christian and attends the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Career
Akin Lewis began his acting career in 1973 when he joined the University of Ife Theatre Group, led by Nigerian writer and dramatist Professor Wole Soyinka.
He debuted in a stage play titled The Trials of Brother Jero, written by Soyinka.
He later joined The Village Headmaster, a popular television series, where he played the role of Akinpelu. He was also featured in TV shows, such as Why Worry, Koko Close, and Tinsel.
He ventured into the film industry in the early 1980s and has since appeared in over 100 films, both in Yoruba and English languages.
His notable films include Madam Dearest, Heroes and Zeroes, King of Boys, The Wedding Party, and Chief Daddy. He has also produced and directed films like The Return of Jenifa and The Gods Are Still Not to Blame.
He is also a film educator who established the Graig-Phillips College of Technology, a film school in Lagos, in 2006.
He is the school’s rector and teaches acting, directing, and production courses.
He is also a member of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
Awards
Akin Lewis has won several awards and recognitions for his outstanding contributions to the film industry.
Some of his awards include:
- Audio Visual Awards (TAVA) for Best Actor in 2010.
- City People Movie Award for Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
- Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) in 2019.
- Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role in 2019.
Filmography
- The Trials of Brother Jero
- The Village Headmaster
- Why Worry
- Koko Close
- Madam Dearest
- The Return of Jenifa
- Heroes and Zeroes
- The Wedding Party
- King of Boys
- Chief Daddy
- The Bling Lagosians
- Your Excellency
- Tinsel
Net Worth
Akin Lewis is one of the richest and most influential actors in Nigeria.
He has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million, which he earned from his acting, directing, and producing career and film school.
Social Media
- Instagram: @akinlewis1
- Twitter: @akinlewis
